NEW YORK-(MANA)-Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Simplex Chithyola Banda has disclosed that the African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved more than 50 million US Dollars towards agriculture productivity and commercialisation including procurement of relief maize.
The minister disclosed this in New York, where President Chakwera held the 2024 Malawi Partners Conference on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Among other high-level dignitaries at the conference, the Malawi leader, met the AfDB Group, President, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, Mozambican President, Filipe Nyusi and a Tanzanian delegation.
“The support includes 30 million US dollars, 23 million Dollars, and 1 million US Dollars. All these are coming separately with different purposes from the African Development Bank. Further, more support is coming from the same bank.
“On food production, the AfDB is more than ready to support the Malawi Government to embark on a programme of pumping water from Lake Malawi for irrigation,” he said.
Chithyola Banda said AfDB interventions will improve Malawi’s economy on top of empowering the young people to venture into the agricultural value chain.
He added that the AfDB assistance to Malawi is a clear demonstration of confidence and trust in the current administration.
“Institutions like African Development Bank have demonstrated degree of confident and trust in the leadership of Dr. Lazarus Chakwera and the reform programme that Malawi is undertaking in various sectors.
“I have liked some aspects in President Chakwera’s speech in which he said Malawi needs to rework in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to re-estimate the GDP based on green economy of how much is the country worth in terms of carbon financing,” he said, adding that analysing the GDP will give a true picture of Malawi’s economic growth,” he said.
He said going back to the drawing board, Malawi will also work on how natural resources could stimulate the economy.
In 2023, President Chakwera also held another partner conference in New York under the theme; Building Resilience and Sustainable Development in the Face of Shocks.
The Malawi Partners Conference are held on the sidelines of the UNGA in New York, US.
In another interview, Minister of Information and Digitilisation, Moses Kunkuyu said Chakwera’s visit is benefiting Malawians.
“When the president travels, he travels with an agenda. The agenda is to represent Malawians and when he represents his people he carries with him the problem that affects his people,” Kunkuyu added
NEW YORK-(MaraviPost)-President Lazarus Chakwera has informed the United Nations that his administration will continue to accelerate digital transformation.
The initiative involves expanding digital infrastructure, enhancing digital literacy, and fostering an inclusive digital economy.
President Chakwera made this statement in New York, United States of America, at the Summit of the Future.
The summit, themed ‘laying the foundation for a digital for all,’ is a sideline event of the 79th Session of the UN.
Addressing a gathering at the UN Headquarters, Chakwera emphasized Malawi’s commitment to bridging the digital divide, deeming it “an economic and social issue.”
“To accelerate digital adoption, Malawi has launched several initiatives with support from development partners,” President Chakwera said. “For instance, The Digital Malawi Project has significantly expanded internet connectivity to public institutions.”
Additionally, Chakwera’s government has implemented a Data Exchange Platform.
The platform utilizes the country’s national ID system for identity verification, ensuring seamless access to services and reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks.
An e-service platform now serves as a single point of entry for all government digital services, complementing the Data Exchange Platform.
“These initiatives are based on the understanding that the digital age presents unprecedented opportunities,” said Chakwera.
Regarding digital literacy, Chakwera’s administration is integrating it into national education curricula and providing training for all age groups.
Technology hubs are training thousands of young people in coding, digital skills, and entrepreneurship, fostering innovation.
President Chakwera emphasized his government’s goal of ensuring every Malawian has access to digital tools and the internet, regardless of socioeconomic status, location, or background, to build “a peaceful future.”
NEW YORK-(MaraviPost)-President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera met with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Chakwera requested increased UN support to alleviate hunger in Malawi, particularly in the aftermath of last year’s natural disasters .
Approximately four million Malawians are in dire need, and while the country appreciates support from the World Food Programme, more assistance is needed until the next harvest in April 2025.
Chakwera emphasized the impact of climate change and unpredictable rainfall patterns on food insecurity.
“We would greatly appreciate food assistance and cash transfers for the affected households,” Chakwera said.
He also sought UN support for the upcoming elections in September 2025, specifically through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) for capacity building and logistical support.
Malawi continues to recover from Cyclone Freddy, which left millions struggling to rebuild.
Chakwera requested UN support to rehabilitate critical infrastructure, such as schools and hospitals, and facilitate affordable housing construction.
On a global scale, Chakwera praised Guterres’s advocacy for UN reforms, including establishing two permanent seats in the Security Council.
Malawi’s partnership with the UN spans key sectors: education, health, climate change, poverty eradication, agriculture, and good governance.
Chakwera is in New York for UNGA summit till September 27, 2024.
NEW YORK-(MaraviPost)-President Lazarus Chakwera is banking on the rehabilitation of Malawi’s rail network system to boost food security across the country.
Speaking at the World Leaders Forum at Columbia University, he emphasized that this is a top priority for his government since taking office in 2020.
Malawi loses approximately 40% of its maize production to post-harvest losses annually, severely affecting food availability and exacerbating hunger levels. To address this, Chakwera’s government has invested heavily in rehabilitating the country’s dilapidated railway infrastructure.
“We are building roads, connecting with our neighbors like Tanzania, Mozambique, and Zambia through rail,” President Chakwera said. “The American government is also helping us with rural road construction, aiming to provide infrastructure and reduce food losses.”
Chakwera was featured alongside Garry Conille, Prime Minister of Haiti, and Ambassador Ertharin Cousin, Founder and CEO of Food Systems for the Future, in the ‘Panel of World Leaders’ at the forum.
He highlighted his government’s efforts to transform Malawi’s food system by promoting agriculture commercialization and discouraging subsistence farming.
“As long as we stay within subsistence farming, it’s not going to work,” he emphasized.
Malawi’s agricultural transformation is also supported by partners like the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), which has been working with the government to increase productivity and income for smallholder farmers.
NEW YORK-(MaraviPost)-President Lazarus Chakwera has arrived in New York City, in the United States of America (USA) where he is scheduled to attend the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Ambassador for Malawi to USA Esmie Chombo, and Malawi Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Lieutenant General Clement Namangale (Rtd) welcomed President Chakwera on his arrival.
While in New York, the president will attend the Summit of the Future and the high-level meeting on the Miombo Forest Declaration.
Chakwera will also attend the high-level meeting on antimicrobial resistance and deliver a national statement during the UNGA and general debate to mobilise global support for Malawi’s developmental priorities.
In addition, the Malawi leader will hold bilateral discussions with other heads of state and governments, leaders of international organisations and investors among others to continue advancing Malawi’s diplomatic relations and economic partnerships towards implementing agriculture, tourism, mining (ATM)strategy and achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
The President will also host the Malawi Partners Conference 2024 which will also bring together investors to discuss the future and long lasting food security in Malawi.
Malawi has been benefitting from these annual sessions as last year, President Chakwera signed, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact number two with the US Government.
The United General Assembly gathering provides an opportunity for world leaders to deliberate and urge cooperation on pressing issues and also lay out their prioritise for the coming year.
This year’s theme is being held under the theme: Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations
The 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly is underway in New York, and Malawi’s President, Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, is expected to play a key role in the high-level meetings.
The session, which kicked off on September 10, 2024, will focus on the theme “Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations.
President Chakwera will attend the summit from September 20 to 27, 2024, where he will participate in several key events, including the Summit of the Future and the High-Level Meeting on the Miomba Forest Declaration.
He will also attend the High-Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance, a critical issue that affects not only Malawi but the global community at large.
One of the highlights of President Chakwera’s visit will be his National Statement during the United Nations General Assembly and general debate.
This will be an opportunity for him to mobilize global support for Malawi’s developmental priorities, particularly in areas such as agriculture, tourism, and mining [1).
In addition to these high-level meetings, President Chakwera will also hold bilateral discussions with other Heads of State and Government, leaders of international organizations, and investors.
These discussions will focus on advancing Malawi’s diplomatic relations and economic partnerships, with the ultimate goal of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
Malawi’s Commitment to Sustainable Development
Malawi has been actively working towards achieving the SDGs, and President Chakwera’s visit to the UN General Assembly is a testament to the country’s commitment.
In his address to the 77th Session of the UN General Assembly, President Chakwera emphasized the need for global cooperation to address challenges such as climate change, pandemics, and food insecurity.
He also highlighted Malawi’s efforts to develop its agriculture sector, including the Feed the Future initiative, which aims to make the country self-sufficient in food production.
The President also expressed his commitment to transitioning to clean and green energy, with the goal of cutting carbon emissions by half before 2040.
The Malawi Partners Conference 2024
During his visit, President Chakwera will also host the Malawi Partners Conference 2024, which will bring together investors to discuss the future and potential of food security in Malawi.
This conference will provide a platform for stakeholders to share knowledge, expertise, and resources to support Malawi’s agricultural development.
The conference will focus on several key areas, including:
Agricultural Transformation: Strategies for increasing agricultural productivity and efficiency
Food Security: Ensuring access to nutritious food for all Malawians
Investment Opportunities: Exploring investment opportunities in Malawi’s agriculture sector
Partnerships: Building partnerships between government, private sector, and civil society to support agricultural development
Overall, President Chakwera’s participation in the 79th UN General Assembly is a significant opportunity for Malawi to showcase its commitment to sustainable development and to mobilize global support for its developmental priorities.
President Lazarus Chakwera to attend 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly
By Burnett Munthali
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that His Excellency Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, President of the Republic of Malawi, will attend the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, USA. The event will be held from 20th to 27th September 2024 at the United Nations Headquarters.
During the assembly, President Chakwera will take part in several high-profile meetings, including the Summit of the Future and the High-Level Meeting on the Miombo Forest Declaration, an important platform addressing climate action and forest conservation in Southern Africa. His presence will underscore Malawi’s commitment to environmental sustainability and the protection of the Miombo woodlands.
Additionally, the President will attend a High-Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), a critical global health issue that requires coordinated international efforts. In his national address at the General Debate of the UN General Assembly, President Chakwera will seek to mobilize global support for Malawi’s development priorities, presenting a strong case for international cooperation in key sectors such as agriculture, tourism, and mining (ATM).
The President’s participation in the UNGA will also include bilateral discussions with other world leaders and business executives to strengthen Malawi’s diplomatic ties and advance economic partnerships. These discussions are aimed at driving the implementation of Malawi’s ATM strategy and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
In line with his economic agenda, President Chakwera will host the Malawi Partners Conference 2024. This event will bring together international investors to discuss Malawi’s future potential in food production, focusing on sustainable practices that ensure food security and economic development.
The Presidential delegation will depart from Kamuzu International Airport on Wednesday, 18th September 2024, at 07:30 hours.
This communication has been made available by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Date: 18th September 2024
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